For three days in early August the streets of Ningyocho in Tokyo are transformed into a haven for those who love Japanese dishes and decorative ceramics.  Tented booths line the sidewalks on either side of Ningyocho-dori and area wholesalers sell their wares to the public at deeply discounted prices.

I picked up two sets of  wooden chopsticks (five pairs) for Y500 each, a modern sashimi platter for the same price, small dishes perfect for tsukemono for Y200 each and some lovely aperitif glasses for Y100 each.  A friend and I walked either side of the street twice and waded through the bins, boxes and shelves stocked with everything imaginable.  Whether you are looking for lacquer ware miso soup bowls, Japanese tea pots, decorative ceramic sake flasks, tea or sake cups you will likely find it at the Setomono Ichi.

A lovely array of decorative ceramic pieces (like the items pictured above) were also on display and the the sidewalks were packed with many other Japanese dish loving shoppers like us.

If you love dishes don’t miss the Setomono Ichi – the event started yesterday and runs through Wednesday, August 5th from 9AM to 8PM.   Head for the Ningyocho Station on the Hibiya Line or Toei Asakusa Line or the Suitengu-mae Station on the Hanzomon Line.  The ceramic vendors can’t be missed along the main street between Suitengu intersection and Ningyocho intersection.

Visit the Chuo City Tourism Association website for a map of Ningyocho and to learn about other sites in the area.

Image Credit: Personal Collection

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